California foie gras law
Encyclopedia
The California foie gras law (California State Senate Bill 1520 of the 2003-2004 legislative session) (SB 1520) is a California
State statute
enacted in 2004 that prohibits the "force feed[ing of] a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird's liver beyond normal size" as well as the sale of products that are a result of this process. This outlaws the traditional method of producing foie gras
in California. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2012.
SB 1520 was introduced in the California legislature on February 19, 2004 by then-Senate President Pro-Tem John Burton
at the request of a coalition of animal protection organizations: Viva!USA, Farm Sanctuary
, Los Angeles Lawyers for Animals, and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights.
Burton stated, "We just shouldn't be cramming a tube down a duck's throat and forcing in food to make foie gras," and that foie gras production is "an inhumane process that other countries have sensibly banned. I'm pleased California will be next on the list."
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
State statute
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
enacted in 2004 that prohibits the "force feed[ing of] a bird for the purpose of enlarging the bird's liver beyond normal size" as well as the sale of products that are a result of this process. This outlaws the traditional method of producing foie gras
Foie gras
Foie gras ; French for "fat liver") is a food product made of the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened. This fattening is typically achieved through gavage corn, according to French law, though outside of France it is occasionally produced using natural feeding...
in California. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2012.
SB 1520 was introduced in the California legislature on February 19, 2004 by then-Senate President Pro-Tem John Burton
John L. Burton
John Lowell Burton is the current Chairman of the California Democratic Party. He is an American politician who served as a Democratic California State Senator from 1996 until 2004, representing the 3rd district. From 1998 until he was forced out of office by term limits in 2004, he served as the...
at the request of a coalition of animal protection organizations: Viva!USA, Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is an American animal protection organization, founded in 1986 as an advocate for farm animals. It promotes laws and policies that support animal welfare, animal protection and vegetarianism/veganism through rescue, education and advocacy...
, Los Angeles Lawyers for Animals, and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights.
Burton stated, "We just shouldn't be cramming a tube down a duck's throat and forcing in food to make foie gras," and that foie gras production is "an inhumane process that other countries have sensibly banned. I'm pleased California will be next on the list."